Steinig is the most decorated hockey player in program history. In 2010 the team captain was named New York State MVP, Monsignor Martin MVP, CHS Winter Sports MVP and Team MVP while leading the Crusaders to back-to-back Monsignor Martin, Varsity Federation, and Catholic state championships. As a coach, he led the Crusaders to a third state title in 2014.
Steinig's words of thanks:
I am truly honored and humbled to be inducted into the Canisius High School Athletic Hall of Fame with so many amazing Crusader student-athletes. Thank you to Canisius High School, Fr. Ciancimino, the Board of Trustees, and the Alumni Association for this honor. I am forever grateful to be a Canisius Crusader. Truly the best decision my parents ever made for me was sending me to Canisius, and ever since I walked through the Blue Doors for the first time, I have tried to be a Man for Others in all that I do.
To those who nominated me for the Athletic Hall of Fame, particularly Hon. Lawrence Vilardo ’73 and my best buddy, Alexander Vilardo ’10, I cannot thank you enough.
I am so blessed to be able to play this amazing sport and for everything it has given me. My four years on the Varsity Federation Hockey Team led to some of my favorite and the most lasting memories of my life. Beyond the two Federation, Monsignor Martin, and NYS Championships we won, the camaraderie forged on the ice, the laughs in the locker room, the drives to the rink, the many wins, the very few losses, and the championship celebrations together will remain with me forever.
I’d especially like to thank my family. In particular, to my parents – thank you for your endless support, the early mornings and late nights, the road trips, the love, and the unequivocal decision you made to send me to CHS. To my three siblings – Leah, Michael, and Rena – thank you for sitting in so many cold rinks allowing me to play the sport I love, sacrificing so much of your time and energy for me, and for always being the best and most supportive people. Particularly to my brother, Michael ’13 – always my best friend and teammate, I truly wouldn’t be in the Athletic Hall of Fame without your support and without you standing in the net for all those practice shots way back when.
To my wife, Ali, and my baby girl, Lottie, although my high school years may have nothing to do with you, thank you for all your love and support and for giving me the family life of my dreams (and to my in-laws, St. Joe’s royalty, for being so supportive even if I’m the Canisius outsider!).
To all of my teammates over those four years – you guys truly are brothers to me, and I absolutely would not be in the Athletic Hall of Fame without you. This should be a team honor, and I believe all of us are deserving. To be a player on not one but two championship teams, the first varsity hockey championships at the school in 20 years, is something that nobody can ever take away from us. I especially think about our brother Ryan Wagner ’09, our best player and emotional leader on the 2009 championship team, who is deeply missed but never forgotten.
To Terry Miller and the CHS coaching staff – thank you letting a small freshman make the the varisty team, for believing in me, and for helping me grow and contribute to some amazing teams.
To Sam Belsito – thank you for taking a chance on a guy who never coached, for letting me coach alongside you, and for being such a great leader to an amazing group of young men on that 2015 championship team.
To all of those in the CHS community, especially my good friend and mentor Adam Baber ’01 – you truly changed my life, instilling in me so many Jesuit values, helping me strive to be a Man for Others, and giving me confidence moving into college, law school, and my professional career.
To so many people that had such a profound effect on my athletic career, including my first coach Dr. Tom Raab ’69, my favorite coach Morris Titanic, and the guy who first put me on skates, my grandfather, Paul Steinig – I may no longer be able to tell some of you this in person, but you had such a meaningful impact on my life, and I am forever grateful to you and your families.
Being a Crusader has always meant so much to me, and I am and will remain humbled and honored for the privilege of being a Canisius High School alumnus and a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. Thank you, and always, Go Crusaders!
